Improving Maternal Health Outcomes
For a bit there, life was moving slowly — the pregnancy, the recovery, getting established with the French farmhouse, business, communication, initiating the prairie cottage build, etc. Now everything is off the ground and running in one stage or another, and life is a tangle of constant designing, breastfeeding, collaborating, editing, laundry, untangling charging cables, planning, setting alerts, and troubleshooting.
No matter the pace, I’m so thankful to do everything with my children by my side — or, to be more precise, on my lap (West) and at my breast (Léa Lou).
What a privilege it is to have reached this point. What a privilege it has always been, whereas so many women are denied meaningful support and quality care from the onset of their pregnancies. The impacts of such treatment and lack of care are immeasurable.
There’s currently a maternal health crisis in America, and it disproportionately impacts Black and Indigenous women.
I believe the country needs work towards improving maternal health outcomes, implement education on bias, racism, and discrimination for maternity care providers, and invest in equitable care and community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure to climate change-related risks for moms and babies.
If you are looking to learn more and/or become an advocate for birthing justice, you can do so easily. Visit Every Mother Counts, or click here for further details on the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021.
In this post, I’m wearing work by Native Fashion Artist Jamie Okuma.
My Attempt at a Lower Waste Hospital Bag
Unlike our multitasking nursery, which I was sluggish to tackle since we’re in a temporary space, I packed my hospital bag more than a month ago. At 29 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital with complications regarding my high-risk pregnancy, and was gently told at the time to be prepared for labor and delivery every week since. I prepped my suitcase shortly thereafter, and it has since been standing dutifully by. I’ll soon reach 37 weeks — a marker I didn’t think I’d reach, but am profoundly grateful to be approaching.
SIMILARITIES + DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MY FIRST BAG VS THIS BAG
For this upcoming laboring experience, the contents of my hospital bag are largely similar to those from my first time around, and I’m reusing several necessities. I’ve made a few small adjustments to try and curb some of the single-use supplies that are regularly used in the hospital. But my attempts at a lower waste birthing experience are lopsided, as I’ve had to acquire some items I didn’t need the first time around— mainly in anticipation of a smaller baby and, potentially, a lengthier stay in the hospital. For some goods, I sourced second-hand, whereas I purchased new for others.
GIFTS FOR LABOR + DELIVERY STAFF
Another difference is that this time we’ve thought to include something else for the medical staff, as I’ve already logged long hours in the maternity department in recent weeks. Rather than guessing what goods might be useful to the large medical teams at our new hospital and scrambling to have bundles ready at any moment, Adam and I decided to have freshly baked pastries catered to the department come delivery day. (I asked a doctor well in advance if such a gesture would be permitted given COVID, and inquired outright if such a gift would be put to good use.) We figured this was a practical, low waste, affordable token of our appreciation.
Here are some of the items* in my hospital bag (a compact suitcase by Steamline), curated in anticipation of our specific situation:
Underwear
I packed a small pile of Knix period underwear, which I used prior to my pregnancy as well. They’re available in a variety of styles and absorbency levels. I also have a few nursing bras from Boob, and a hands-free breast pumping bra.
Large Collapsible Cup with Lid
I never leave the house without my oversized Stojo collapsible cup. The contact-free machine at the hospital allows us to refill it with water and ice chips whenever needed. (Those ice chips definitely helped me experience my first labor without an epidural.)
Portable Pump + Accessories + Bottles + Parts
In case the baby and I have a longer stay at the hospital, I’ve charged and packed the same tiny, portable breast pump and parts I used with West. (I updated the tubing and smaller accessories for hygiene purposes.) I also added a set of Colostrum Collectors, and my single, manual breast pump for use on one breast when feeding with the other.
Pura Stainless makes an interchangeable-part bottling system that we’ve used and appreciated for years. In case of a lengthier stay for the baby, we have a supply of stainless baby bottles and corresponding newborn/slow flow nipples packed in a small cooler bag that slides within/beneath our diaper bag.
Recycled Tech / Accessories
Thanks to their sustainable materials and plastic-free packaging, I’ve been a loyal Nimble customer for years. They make tech accessories such as longer-length phone / iPad cords, portable batteries, adapters and more, and I have a small supply in my hospital bag, as well as my purse at all times. I’ve also added a lightweight, travel LED mirror to my tech sleeve. And, just in case, I’ve got my laptop and password book for work, along with an e-reader and the portable bluetooth speaker that we usually keep on our cargo bike.
Cloth Diapers
We have a collection of new + used cloth newborn diapers from Grovia. These all-in-one washable diapers were what West wore, and we’ve always been pleased with how well they work, and how comfortable they seem to be for little ones.
Premature + Newborn Clothes
We have a few hand-me-down preemie garments (like the puppy onesie below) that we’ve packed for the hospital and for going home. Unlike last time, we also purchased some extra-small preemie pieces, as we expect they’ll be needed.
Toiletries
I cut off a slice of my tea tree + charcoal face wash bar, and packed it alongside the only two products I’ve relied on daily for years: Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical Serum (both in glass vials) by Vintner’s Daughter. I also included items like refillable toothpaste tablets by Bite, plastic-free hair elastics, and bamboo brushes.
Baby Daily Log
This is the same journal we used to log West’s nursing + sleep + movements for his first few months. We had pages to spare, so the book is being put to repeated use.
Maternity / Nursing Clothes + Slipper-Socks + Masks
I’ve got my usual maternity and old nursing-friendly dresses ready to go, and opted to skip anything with a waistband entirely. I packed a few pairs of pilates-style, no-slip sock/slippers, as they’re practical for climbing in and out of hospital beds and traversing cold floors.
Vitamins, Snacks (for myself and family), etc.
We have a mini-cooler at the ready with my travel container of Ritual Prenatal Vitamins, my 8Greens tablets (which I began using once we started traveling across the country for our move and didn’t have easy/safe access to daily greens), routinely (re)packed fresh fruit, nuts, sugar-free hard candies, and Cerebelly granola bars for my 4+ year old in case he’s allowed to visit the hospital if COVID regulations regarding visitors change.
*Please note that some of the above links direct to major online retailers in order to provide readers with additional product details, while simultaneously supplying us with information on the number of clicks each link receives, and occasionally a (very) minor commission that helps support our small business. However, I encourage folks to search for any of these items via smaller, independent, low waste, and/or local shops when possible.
Fall Hosting at the Cottage with One Kings Lane
It's becoming evident that autumn is just around the corner-- even in sunny SoCal. Personally I can't wait. Not only am I excited about the cooler air and softer light, but it means Adam and I are getting VERY close to finally meeting our son (who is due in early October)!
Recently I had the joy of celebrating the change of seasons with One Kings Lane here at home. We hosted a mini-gathering throughout the outdoor sections of the Cottage, and we toasted (mocktails, of course!) to the release of their new magazine, "Small Space Style" (which features our tiny home in a multi-page spread).
Click here to view the full story, "Entertaining for a Crowd in a Space Made for Two." And follow @onekingslane on Instagram today to see behind-the-scenes IG "Stories" from the event! (Additional photos below.)
Mocktail recipe by Rachel Mae Furman
We served an array of appetizers from Urban Palate, including roasted brussels-sprout salad, parsnip pomme frites, and Pink Lady apple bruschetta (my personal favorite). While I enjoyed homemade Pear and Rosemary Spritz Mocktails with the other pregnant guests, we also served "Sexy Rosé" from The Butcher's Daughter.
Select photos by Kimberly Genevieve for One Kings Lane, with additional imagery by Whitney Leigh Morris.
Basics Don't Have to be Boring
I'm obviously a fan of keeping things simple. From color palettes to every-day goods and clothing, "the basics" help me save space and money, without sacrificing versatility or creative expression. Here's how.
DECOR - In small spaces, I've found that it's usually best to functionally decorate with neutral + white tones. They reflect light and allow a space to feel bigger than it truly is. Once you have the key items in place (in your cohesive color palette), liven things up and keep yourself from getting bored with your surroundings by using throws and market florals. You don't have to buy an entirely new coffee table to switch up the look and feel of your small living room-- just clip some fresh greenery from around the neighborhood and swap out your pillow covers and/or throw blankets on your sofa, and voila! It's amazing what a difference this can make, and all for a very low cost. (There are dozens of examples of this on my Instagram account.) Donate your old blankets to a local non-profit or a disaster relief organization-- they can always use the goods, and you won't need to find a place to store your old stuff.
This basic approach has helped me learn how to stop searching for "the next thing" and just be happy with what I have here at home. I've accumulated fewer belongings, and have found a wonderful level of contentment in the present. It's also why I'm so obsessed with my Friday morning market missions-- they've become a creative outlet / little weekly art project that helps me refresh and continually enjoy our tiny home:
WARDROBE - Applying the same technique to my wardrobe has made sharing a (small) closet with Adam an easy task (images & info on our clothing storage here). By sticking to the basics and using a few bright accessories to layer and liven up my look, I never get tired of my clothing-- and I don't have to routinely buy new articles that I'll then have to store. (Did you read the wonderful write-up in The New York Times by Carl Richards about this cyclical issue? I highly recommend it: "New Rule: All Purchases Subject to a 7-Day Mental Quarantine")
I will admit, one of the things that I really DO need storage for is my collection of market baskets, all of which I use on a weekly basis for the aforementioned purposes, and for carting botanicals to-and-from photo shoots. Luckily I found this vintage basket rack on Everything But The House, and I love it. It's simple, pretty, practical, and it brings me joy every day when I see it. (Sophee chewed through the plant that was there for the past 5 years anyway, so it was time to find a beautiful and useful replacement piece.)
So I challenge you to liven things up in your home & closet by paring your belongings down!
Small Spaces + Pregnancy (Week 26)
This weekend marks the 26th week of my pregnancy! We've made numerous behind-the-scenes changes around here in preparation for our baby boy's arrival in October. Thus far it's been a lot of simplifying and decluttering. We will tackle the majority of the nursery makeover in August and September, and I'll be sure to share photos, tips and resources when that time comes.
But before we consider the more pin-worthy projects (such as wallpaper, specialty cribs and multi-functional nursery goods,) we should address an obvious obstacle when it comes to small spaces and pregnancy: how do you handle the inevitable wardrobe transformation when you barely have any closet space to begin with? As your belly balloons outward, where do you keep the newly acquired maternity and/or pregnancy-friendly clothing and personal care items?
First, it's important to start with the fundamentals of downsizing. Nobody likes to hear the following, but I've found that these are truly the two handiest tricks when it comes to dealing with clutter and storage, regardless of your square-footage:
1. JUST GET RID OF IT. This is the single best tip for living well in a small space. You don't need to devise clever storage solutions when you don't have much crap to store in the first place.
2. ONLY BUY WHAT YOU REALLY NEED. Controlling what you bring into your home is the best way to avoid accumulating clutter.
So! What do you NEED when it comes to maternity clothing? My jeans stopped fitting midway through my first trimester, yet these are the only new items I've truly needed in order to dress comfortably every day thus far:
1. Storq Basics Bundle
I layer the items from this beautiful, simple Storq pack with my "normal" clothes for daytime outfits and evening wear. There are 4 products in this pouch (which itself is so easy to store-- photo below). I love that the pieces in this bundle create a simple foundation for endless maternity outfit possibilities when paired with your usual layers and accessories.
2. Over-The-Bump Jeans
My opinion: Don't waste your time with the demi-panel maternity jeans. They're uncomfortable and you outgrow them quickly. Get a pair of the over-the-bump jeans, and easily store them by donating 1-2 other clothing items you no longer love.
3. T-Shirt Dress
Ideal for lounging, sleeping, running quick errands, etc.
I even decided to downsize and declutter my toiletries. My skin changed a great deal when I reached my mid-thirties, and pregnancy has changed it even more drastically. So I got rid of my old skincare and makeup items, and simplified my routine and medicine cabinet. I decided to stick with a small selection of products from Glossier, Kate Somerville, Naked (by Urban Decay), Foreo, and Aesop. Nearly everything else went into the recycling bin. It always feels so good to get the bottle clutter under control. (Read more about our bathroom storage here.)
The biggest changes wardrobe-management changes will come in August and September, as we begin to clear out our closet in order to transform it into our son's nursery. In the meantime, we've been able to make do with the storage we have, which is pictured below:
1. Bathroom Shelving (read more about our bathroom storage here)
2. Whitney's Under-the-Couch Shoe Storage
3. Adam's Under-the-Couch Shoe Storage
4. The Closet (soon to be turned into the nursery)
5. The Bed Built-In Hamper (cameo by StanleeStubs)
6. The Bed Built-In Clothing Bin (photo by James Tse for "The Knot" Magazine)
Pregnant or not, small-space living can be frustrating if you have too much stuff. What I love about our home is that it reminds us to keep things simple, and requires us to routinely downsize our belongings. Since we've adopted this lifestyle, we've discovered that we have more energy and time to devote to one another, and to the things that matter most in our lives.
Disclaimer: All brands mentioned above are ones that I genuinely love to use as described. I have received compensation in the form of product for some of those mentioned in this post, but all opinions expressed are my own, regardless of compensation.